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NEWS
India-focused Hyundai Xcent
South Korean brand aims to grow in India by tapping into the burgeoning compact-sedan segmentHyundai aims to capture a slice of the lucrative baby-sedan market in India with the Xcent, which made its public debut at this week’s Delhi Auto Expo.
The vehicle in question is essentially a booted version of Hyundai’s Grand i10 hatchback, which has been a popular seller in the Indian market.
The Xcent will compete head-on with the Maruti DZire (a booted Suzuki Swift) and Honda Amaze (a version of the Brio), offering buyers the choice of 1.2-litre petrol and 1.1-litre diesel power when it launches in March.
A five-speed manual is the standard transmission, but the petrol version will also be available with an optional four-speed auto.
In terms of its proportions, the Xcent sticks with the formula for the segment, which means it has a relatively long wheelbase (for its size) and a tippy-toe stance resulting from its narrow width, which is a bonus for negotiating the crammed cut-and-thrust of Indian roads.
Visually, the Xcent mirrors its Grand i10 sibling up to the B-pillars, but substitutes the hatchback’s perky rear-end with its extended booted derriere. In fact, Hyundai claims the Xcent will offer best-in-class luggage capacity, an important selling point with many Indian buyers.
The car will also come with generous kit levels vis-à-vis its opposition, and among the features on offer will be rear air-con vents, a rear parking camera, push-button start and a USB-ready audio system with 1GB internal storage.
Range-topping versions are also expected to get automatic climate-control, steering-mounted audio controls, dual front airbags and anti-lock brakes.
The compact-sedan category is currently one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian auto market, but the Xcent is just one of four new models Hyundai plans to launch in the country over the next two years. Also on agenda is a compact SUV to give the brand a broader footprint in the market.
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Written byGautam Sharma
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